March 03, 2005

WHY NOT SKINNER BOXES?:

Robots to Watch Children Showcased (ALLISON LINN, Mar. 2, 2005, The Associated Press)

The teddy bear sitting in the corner of the child's room might look normal, until his head starts following the kid around using a face recognition program, perhaps also allowing a parent talk to the child through a special phone, or monitor the child via a camera and wireless Internet connection.

The plush prototype, on display at Microsoft Corp.'s annual gadget showcase Wednesday, is one of several ideas researchers have for robots. The idea is to create a virtual being that can visit the neighboring cubicle for a live telephone chat even as its owner is traveling thousands of miles away, or let the plumber into the house while its owner enjoys a pleasant afternoon in the sun.


Nothing quite like lack of human contact for disturbing the psyche.

Posted by Orrin Judd at March 3, 2005 12:00 AM
Comments

It would be great for Japan, if they had any kids.

Posted by: John at March 3, 2005 01:28 AM

Poltergeist.

Posted by: Sandy P at March 3, 2005 02:20 AM

Surely we are moving quickly to the point where kids will grow up under ceaseless surveillance--all in the name of their safety. Chilling.

Posted by: Peter B at March 3, 2005 05:10 AM

This is a godsend for totalitarians everywhere, whether their totalitarianism is religious, secular or corporate. Imagine giving Henry Ford this kind of technology to monitor the private lives of his workforce circa 1920.

Posted by: Bart at March 3, 2005 06:35 AM

OJ: You NAILED it. (As usual, I might add.)

Hey - does anyone besides me avoid the "self-checkout" line at the supermarket and Home Depot? Because I don't feel like talking to a machine; I'd rather wait in line an extra five minutes for the privilege of smiling and making eye contact with a (get this) honest-to-God human being!

Posted by: Geo in Taipei at March 3, 2005 07:40 AM

Geo,

Since I'm in NJ and not in Taipei, the ones in our local supermarket never work right so I end up having plenty of contact with honest-to-G-d human beings anyway.:)

Posted by: Bart at March 3, 2005 07:45 AM

I guess I am the odd one again. My favorite feature of Internet shopping is the absence of human interaction.

Posted by: Annoying Old Guy at March 3, 2005 08:43 AM

Geo:

I use the self check-out at the supermarket when lines are long. She is usually very nice and polite, but I remember feeling mortified when I did something wrong and she got cross and blurted out loudly: "Please put the item back in the bag!"

Posted by: Peter B at March 3, 2005 09:06 AM

aog: you are not alone. i like human contact but get enough at work and home, so i like to minimize my waiting in line, whether that's using self-checkout or buying online.

Posted by: cjm at March 3, 2005 10:51 AM

Many years ago, Harry Harrison wrote a story
titled "I Always Do What Teddy Says." It was
set in a future where children are raised by
robotic teddy bears. Well, here we are.

(I don't need to tell you that it didn't work
out well.)

Posted by: Bob Hawkins at March 3, 2005 11:02 AM

I've got more commentary on this one over at DOUBLE TOOTHPICKS.

Posted by: Steve Bragg at March 3, 2005 11:17 AM

It's a plot element of A.I. as well:

http://www.brothersjudd.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/reviews.moviedetail/movie_id/55

Posted by: oj at March 3, 2005 12:04 PM

libertarians....

Posted by: oj at March 3, 2005 12:05 PM
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